The 46-year-old professional quizzer - who has been a regular on the show since 2003 - was told via email on Wednesday (04.05.16) that he no longer holds a position as a mastermind panelist, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper.

Taking to his Twitter account on Thursday (05.05.16), the TV star said he was "grateful" for the opportunity to work on 'Eggheads' and is setting off to pursue his acting career abroad in South Africa.

He tweeted: "I'm leaving Eggheads for my acting future in Cape Town. I'm so grateful for all the show has given me but must try this now."

CJ previously quit in 2012 and after a short stint on spin-of series 'Revenge of the Eggheads', he returned to the main show to replace Daphne Fowler when she stepped down.

Meanwhile, he hit headlines when he stated he may have killed a man who tried to mug him when he lived homeless in Amsterdam 20 years ago.

And the clever TV star also courted controversy when he said that he was rejected as a contestant from 'Strictly Come Dancing' after he requested a same-sex dance partner - which the show denied.

The news of his departure comes after it was revealed earlier this week that his co-panelist Jeremy Vine is set to host 'Make Me An Egghead'.

The 50-year-old presenter will front the new spin-off series and be tasked with finding two new people to join him.

'Make Me an Egghead' will narrow down the contestants to two finalists, who then will become a resident Egghead on the long standing evening game show.

He commented: "I am proud to present one of the UK's most successful quizzes of all time and hugely excited that we are in the hunt for two more Eggheads. Whoever wins a place on the distinguished panel will, I guarantee, have the time of their life - sitting between Kevin Ashman and Judith Keppel and getting more questions thrown at them than they ever dreamed of."But I know this will be a hot contest - superbrain versus superbrain in that famous studio. So if you want to be an Egghead, roll up now!"